Referees

Pregame quotes

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

Panathinaikos added players in comparison to our last game, they are playing better right now, they score almost 100 points on average in recent games. They have size, they have different ways to score. We know that we have tough opponent in front of us so we expect a difficult game.

Cory Higgins, CSKA guard:

It’s going to be very tough, physical game. We have to have a better showing than the way we played against them in Athens, to take care of the ball, limit our turnovers, be physical on both sides of the ball.

“Relativity” connections

CSKA head coach Itoudis spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Panathinaikos from 1999 through 2012. He helped the club win five Euroleague championships, 11 Greek League titles and seven Greek Cups during that span. Only one Panathinaikos player, Nick Calathes, remains from his time with the club. CSKA assistant Andreas Pistiolis was also a part of those successful team.

Coach Darryl Middleton played for Panathinaikos for 5 years (2000-05) winning two EuroLeague titles with the Athenians.

Daniel Hackett and Keith Langford played for Olimpia Milan in the 2013-14 season.